Headlights problems of the 2010 Toyota Prius - part 1

85 problems related to headlights have been reported for the 2010 Toyota Prius.
The most recently reported issues are listed below.

Headlights problem
1

Failure Date: 01/17/2018

Drivers�s side headlight and high beam light going out at same time. Headlight bulbs on both sides were changed out in November 2016 (a little more than a year ago) and I only have a 10 mile commute to work. In November of 2016 driver�s side light was also the one that burned out.

Headlights problem
2

Failure Date: 12/14/2017

Exiting off freeway at s. Main in walnut creek California at appx 45mph both headlights went out at the same time. Could not be turned on. Interior headlight indicator remained on but headlights remained off. Highbeams worked.

Headlights problem
3

Failure Date: 11/09/2017

We have been having problems with the headlights on our 2010 Prius for 3-4 years and have never reported the issue. At least twice per year, one of the headlights will go out while driving. Sometimes it�s the left, sometimes it�s the right. We have always had to replace the bulbs after these events. (expensive). Tonight, (11/9/2017), while driving in the rain and the dark both headlights went out at the same time. This is a serious safety issue. An online search revealed that Prius headlight complaihts are numerous with issues being reported for years. We last replaced the headlight bulbs one month ago.

Headlights problem
4

Failure Date: 11/02/2017

The low beam headlights tend to go out every 2 to 3 months sometimes one at a time and sometimes both.

Headlights problem
5

Failure Date: 09/27/2017

The low-beam headlights generally must be replaced every 4 to 6 months; occasionally one low-beam will last a year, but may go out and come back on intermittently, without warning. This is not only a safety concern, but I have received repeated vehicle defect tickets that must constantly be addressed by visiting a repair shop to demonstrate that I fixed the bulb myself. The shop must sign the paperwork to attest the defective lights have been fixed before I can mail the form to absolve the ticket. This process is time-consuming and happens for one headlight, the six weeks later, to the other headlight. Presently, I just replaced the passenger side low-beam two weeks ago. Three days ago, the driver side low-beam went out. I bought a new bulb but the low-beam still didn't work. I returned that bulb for another new bulb which didn't seem to work either. My husband thought to test the bulb on the passenger side and discovered that both the new bulb and the current bulb that we thought was blown both work!! now, we are wondering how many bulbs we replaced that were actually working!!! my husband also checked the fuses, which are fine. It seems there must be a connection issue that should be resolved. I have some of the invoices and defect tickets but they aren't with me at the moment.

Headlights problem
6

Failure Date: 08/12/2017

Headlights burn out often and are extremely dim making it impossible to see without using brights. Lights are the same stationary as well as driving.

Headlights problem
7

Failure Date: 04/03/2017

The headlight burn out very frequently and most recently the shop informed me that the light does not stay in the assembly because the headlight assembly has melted. I am forced to drive without headlights and this is very unsafe. New headlight assemblies cost at a minimum of $100 each and I am having problems shipping the items to guam where I reside.

Headlights problem
8

Failure Date: 01/24/2017

On Jan 24, 2017 while driving this car at night both headlights turned off. When I turned the knob to turn the lights back on only the parking lights came on. The car was in motion on a city street when this happened.

Headlights problem
9

Failure Date: 01/23/2017

Earlier I reported that both headlights went out simultaneously. My mechanic replaced both headlights and they now work. 37 months ago the same thing happened. It seems highly unlikely that this is just a coincidence. Fortunately the first time it happened I was close to home but this time I was not.

Headlights problem
10

Failure Date: 01/06/2017

Headlights fail frequently. This happened over a period of 18 months. It began with a front driver-side headlight not working, then both headlights not working - each was replaced when noticed they were not working. The most recent time, 5 months after the last replacement, I noticed one headlight was out again, then, while in park, with the car still on, I turned the lights off then on again, and after that both headlights and one daytime running will not work. Needless to say this is incredibly dangerous.

Headlights problem
11

Failure Date: 12/20/2016

I've had to replace my low beam head lamps 4 times in the past 6 months. First I was on a 2 hour long trip when my passenger and I could specifically see both headlights were getting dim. After about an hour of driving they had both gone out completely and I was forced to use my high beams on the interstate. When we arrived in town, both bulbs were replaced and the driver's side bulb lasted 3 months before dying out. I rode around like that for a week because I kept forgetting until I'd drive at night and the shops were closed. So about a week after my driver's side bulb died, I went to the auto store and bought a new bulb, only to find out my passenger side bulb had gone out that same day; I didn't notice because it was during the day. Thankfully I was already at the auto shop and was able to have two new bulbs installed at the same time. Well. . . With my brand new bulbs I was confident that it was going to be fine this go-around and they were bright for a couple months. Until my driver's side bulb went out unexpectedly when I was parked in my driveway. I was getting ready to leave and saw the reflection on my neighbor's window -- no more driver's side light. I put my plans on hold until I went to the auto shop and they replaced the bulb no problem. Four days later, the passenger side bulb goes out. I'm fed up with having to get new bulbs every few months (or days for that matter). It's occurred when I was parked, driving slow in the city, and going fast on the interstate. It doesn't matter the state in which the vehicle was being handled. The lights are going out consistently and it's occurring far too frequently.

Headlights problem
12

Failure Date: 12/12/2016

In 2014 my regular beam headlight went out. The dealers wanted $130 to put in a new bulb saying the bumper had to be removed. My husband bought a bulb at the auto parts store and installed it without removing the bumper. Since then I have replaced several bulbs on both sides and was finally told by sylvania that I need to change both at the same time which I did about a month ago. A couple of nights ago, I started the car and both headlights were out and the fuses were intact. I put in two more bulbs, but I can barely see with them although they are lit. The beam is very weak. The dealers want over $100 to do a diagnostic to find the problem or before they will give me a quote of the cost to remedy the problem as stated by Toyota in a technical bulletin. This was my third Prius, and last one.

Headlights problem
13

Failure Date: 11/22/2016

Headlights have burned out 4 times in the past 3 years- both at the same time and previously one burned out within a week of the other.

Headlights problem
14

Failure Date: 11/21/2016

Low beam headlights go out at least 2 times a year. I have to replace the low beam bulbs at least twice a year. Wiring seems fine, no damage they just go out randomly throughout the year.

Headlights problem
15

Failure Date: 10/01/2016

In the past year, my Prius has blown out headlights 5 times on both sides and low and high beam. This is nt only a dangerous problem but and expensive one. They say unless all the bulbs were replaced by a dealership, they cannot deal with the problem. I have the bulbs replaced immediately u[on discovery. This is a serious problem and I should be reimbursed for these bulb and installation costs. There needs to be a recall on this problem.

Headlights problem
16

Failure Date: 07/27/2016

For the past year, the low beams on my 2010 Prius continue to burn out within a few months of being replaced. I have had to drive twice in the dark with no low beams and had to use my high beams until I was able to get home/buy new bulbs. It doesn't matter what brand or type of bulb I use, they are burning out within 45-60 days of replacement. It's extremely dangerous especially since I spend a majority of my time driving for work. The Toyota dealer I took my vehicle to in may 2016 told me there was no problem, they'd never heard of any problems with the lights, and that I just needed to buy "expensive" bulbs. After installing the most expensive bulbs I could find, both headlights burned out within 60 days. It's very frustrating buying new bulbs every 2 months.

Headlights problem
17

Failure Date: 07/02/2016

Low beam headlights failed with less than 10,000 miles since last replacement.

Headlights problem
18

Failure Date: 05/14/2016

My headlight caught fire and severely burned my car. I was driving down the road on a city steet and saw a wisp of smoke and pulled over into a store parking lot. I had no warning lights indicating anything was wrong. It began to smoke more, and I cautiously opened the hood to see a fire coming from my drivers side headlight area. Within seconds there was a blaze, and it took 3 fire extinguishers to put it out. The fire department confirmed that the fire originated from the headlight. I had previously experienced problems with my headlight becoming dull and cloudy. An earlier NHTSA investigation did not result in a recall. I think it's the same problem with the headlight, only much worse. If there were not multiple fire extinguishers available the car could have easily exploded before the fire department arrived. It could have easily caused harm to other people.

Headlights problem
19

Failure Date: 04/04/2016

Both of my low beam headlights went out suddenly. I didn't realize it until I was driving onto the freeway and had to turn on my high beams so I wouldn't crash while on the dark onramp of the freeway. The housing of the left low beam is blown out. I brought in my Prius to the dealership and they would not cover this even though I have the platinum warranty.

Headlights problem
20

Failure Date: 03/18/2016

2010 Toyota Prius headlights burn out frequently. One of the headlights burn out every 5 to 6 months. I can't just replace the burnt out bulb as the other one then burns out.

Headlights problem
21

Failure Date: 03/14/2016

One of my headlights went out a couple of months ago, so I replaced both. A few weeks later, I was driving on an interstate highway at night, roughly 8pm, and my both of my headlights went out. They would not come back on. Only the high-beams were functional. After speaking with my local Toyota dealership, this is a known issue of a faulty wiring harness. The local dealership refused to replace the faulty wiring. I find it difficult to comprehend how a car's most basic safety feature, maybe aside from the brakes, is suffering from a known issue and nothing has been done. Without an intervention in this matter, Toyota's willingness to ignore this problem, as they have with many others in the past, will certainly lead to death.

Headlights problem
22

Failure Date: 02/06/2016

Headlights stopped working. I got into my car to drive to work and found one bulb out. That night I got into my car to drive home and found the other bulb out. I had to drive home in the rain with no headlights, using my high beams whenever possible. Changed out the bulbs numerous times and nothing came on. When taken to the dealership was told an updated wiring harness was needed and would cost me nearly $800! if the wiring harness needed to be updated, Toyota clearly knew there was an issue causing the headlights to short. I now have a vehicle that I cannot drive safely because I cannot afford to fix Toyota's defective equipment!.

Headlights problem
23

Failure Date: 01/26/2016

Headlights have gone off while driving at night. Replacement of the bulbs began in 2013. Only recently while driving at night on the interstate and back roads,did we realize that were sometimes working and this was a reoccurring issue.

Headlights problem
24

Failure Date: 12/28/2015

Headlight out last year. Replaced both. One headlight out this month. Replaced the one with previous year good bulb. Now, both low beams out, only high beams work.

Headlights problem
25

Failure Date: 12/02/2015

Headlights continue to burn out. We have changed one or both headlights at least six times since may 2015. This happens unexpectedly, going down the road at night one or both headlights will burn out. When you change them, will last a couple weeks to months. Very scary when going down a two lane back country road at night. Any help would be greatly appreciated.